A RED SILK THREAD

In this historical novel, a Chinese princess finds adventure, danger, and a surprising romance while on a trade mission to Rome.

At the age of 24, Princess Huang Hua has spent 10 years in the Han Dynasty’s imperial court, most of them married to Prince Liu Qian, a kind man who supports her desire to further her education. While Hua and Qian enjoy a strong bond, she is distressed at her inability to have a child, although she is close with Xiaosheng, the prince’s son with a concubine. When the imperial majesty asks Qian and Hua to travel to Rome and help establish a trade agreement, she sees it as an opportunity to explore exciting new lands. Alexander Severus is a Roman guard in the palace of Augustus with a talent for painting. Heartbroken after his girlfriend, Diana Lampadius, betrays him, he soon finds himself on the hunt for a killer when she is murdered. Assigned to guard Hua while she’s in Rome, Alexander is captivated by the Chinese princess. Despite threats from the Parthians, the trade mission is a success. But when Alexander and Hua fall in love, she is left with a difficult decision—return to China and her life with Qian or remain in Rome with Alexander. Kunkel’s novel is a historical romance replete with dynamic characters and a strong story structure. Hua and Alexander are amiable protagonists whose backstories unfold in a series of alternating chapters at the beginning of the book. The author’s methodical approach effectively establishes fully realized relationships, especially the one between Hua and her childhood friend and handmaiden, Jin Chyou. That said, the dialogue is starkly modern in contrast with the setting and time period. At one point, Alexander asserts: “Joking. Being funny. I know them. They make fun of the pompous rich. Darling this. Darling that. Sweetie. Dear. All a put-on.” Still, the tale offers an engaging mix of action and romance.

A well-crafted historical epic with a vibrant cast.